Forsyth Herald - June 29, 2023

County proposes to keep property tax rate steady

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth

County homeowners may pay higher property tax bills as values rise, but the county hopes to ease some of the burden by keeping its tax rate steady for next year.

County staff presented a first glimpse of the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and millage rate – or rax rate – on property, at a Board of Commissioners work session June 20.

One mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of a home’s taxable value, which is 40 percent of the property’s overall assessed value. For a home assessed at $250,000,

Vietnam vets group awards scholarships to six local students

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Cumming chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America awarded scholarships to six newly graduated Forsyth County students at an awards ceremony at the Cumming National Guard Armory June 6.

Each $2,500 scholarship issued at the eighth annual event commemorated a Georgian who was killed in combat during the Vietnam War.

Forsyth Central

High School graduate Samantha Schoenfeld, who will attend the University of Georgia in the fall, received school funds in memory of U.S. Air Force Sgt. Larry Richard Todd of Chamblee.

A second Forsyth Central graduate, Grace Humphries, is also attending UGA. Humphries was awarded funds in memory of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and Army Spc. Donald Ray Johnston of Columbus.

Ava Miller, who also graduated from Forsyth Central and will attend UGA, received a scholarship commemorating Army Cpl. Herman Fred Ivey of Lenox.

Home-schooled student

Gabe St. George received the scholarship recognizing Army Pfc. Joel Ray Kelly of Columbus. St. George will attend Georgia Tech this fall.

its taxable value would equal $100,000, and a 4-mill levy would generate a $400 tax liability.

If approved, the tax levy would remain unchanged at 7.896 mills since the 2021 budget year. Fiscal years in the county coincide with the calendar year.

More than half of the rate, 4.791 mills, is reserved for the county’s opera-

tions and maintenance costs.

The County Fire Fund, which includes the Fire Department’s administrative, maintenance, firefighting and capital and contingency costs, accounts for 2.175 mills. The remainder, about 11 percent, is reserved for bond payments.

See COUNTY, Page 10

Inside: School Board to require parental consent for four library books

See STUDENTS, Page 7 ► PAGE 3

VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CUMMING/PROVIDED

From left, graduated Forsyth County high school seniors Samantha Schoenfeld, Gabe St. George, Olivia Edge, Grace Humphries, Lane Cassidy and Ava Miller receive scholarships from the Vietnam Veterans of America Cumming chapter June 6.

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Cumming man arrested in alleged hatchet attack

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a man June 9 who allegedly threatened his neighbors, damaged one of their cars and struck mailboxes with a hatchet.

Deputies responded to a domestic dispute on Archer Avenue around 10 p.m. A woman at the scene said Anthony Frachiseur, 52, of Cumming had destroyed property and chased people.

Down the road, deputies reported finding Frachiseur's front door open, and he told deputies a man had tried to kill him and stabbed him. Deputies also located a small axe on Frachiseur’s kitchen counter, and that he was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol, the report states.

Deputies reported Frachiseur’s wife said he had been drinking.

Frachiseur was transported to the hospital, and deputies returned to speak with the woman and the man Frachiseur had accused of stabbing him.

Deputies reported the man said he and the woman were putting away groceries when they heard hissing and popping coming from outside. They said Frachiseur was smashing the woman’s windshield and slashing her tires.

The man said Frachiseur had chased him down the road and swung at him, the report states. Frachiseur was also accused of verbally threatening the couple and hitting mailboxes with the hatchet.

Frachiseur was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault and one count of criminal damage to property in the second degree, as well as misdemeanor criminal trespass.

He is being held at the Forsyth County Jail on $40,780 bond.

Driver cited for DUI in single-vehicle crash

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a Gainesville man June 2 who allegedly flipped his vehicle onto its side while driving under the influence.

Deputies reported responding to a single-vehicle crash on Dawsonville Highway and Dogwood Path around 2 a.m. When speaking to the driver, Jorden McKinney, 25, deputies observed he was unsteady and disoriented, had slurred speech and had bloodshot, watery eyes.

McKinney reportedly told deputies he had lost control of the vehicle and did not know where he was. He also said there was a firearm inside a black bag, the report states.

Deputies reported locating a 9 mm SIG Sauer handgun, a THC product and two pills in the bag.

An impaired driver investigation was conducted, and deputies reported determining McKinney was impaired by drugs to the extent that he was less than safe to drive.

McKinney was charged with felony possession of a schedule four substance and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and misdemeanor failure to maintain lane and DUI drugs.

Deputies arrest suspect in 2022 business burglary

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested Benjamin Heaslip, 37, of Commerce June 6 on charges stemming from a 2022 burglary at a landscaping business. Deputies reported responding to a burglary March 16, 2022, at a landscaping store on Canton Highway. Employees told deputies they noticed the cash register was damaged, coins were on the floor and $318 was missing, the report states.

The employees said they had

surveyed the property and did not notice any damage to the doors. The business owner, who had footage of the incident, estimated the burglary occurred around 5:30 a.m., the report states.

Deputies reported observing two exterior doors that were unlocked and holes that were cut in a sheetrock wall to access the locked building. The attic stairs were also pulled down, which the owner said was unusual, the report states.

Heaslip was charged with felony forced non-residence burglary in the second degree, criminal damage to property in the second degree and possession of tools for commission of a crime.

Man loses $308,000 in gold trading scheme

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police June 13 that he had been taken for more than $300,000 in what appears to be a gold trading scam.

The man said he was contacted on how to make money buying, selling and trading gold.

The exchange evolved into the man being scammed out of $308,000.

An unidentified woman provided the victim with a website to open a joint account with her to buy gold. The victim initially deposited $8,000, then $14,000 into the account. The suspect deposited large sums in return.

The victim was then advised by the website that the account had been suspended due to suspicion of money laundering. The site asked that he deposit 30 percent of the total sum of the account in order to lift the suspension. The victim then deposited $190,000 into the account.

He was then was notified that his account was frozen, and he needed to deposit an additional $96,000 into it, which he did.

School Board agrees to restrict four library books for parental consent

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County School Board voted June 20 to require parental consent for students to check out four recently challenged books, but some parents are insisting on greater safeguards for student access to literature with mature content.

The County Board of Education voted 4-0 to allow Ellen Hopkins’ “Tilt” and “Perfect,” Margaret Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake” and E.R. Frank’s “Dime” to remain in a high school library.

Board Member Mike Valdes proposed an amendment, which was approved unanimously, that requires parents to sign off on the novels to be checked out by students.

The School Board is no stranger to complaints about controversial library books. For months, supporters and critics of access to published works with mature themes have addressed board members at public hearings.

In 2022, county residents Cindy Martin and Alison Hair, members of the Mama Bears of Forsyth County, filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education for prohibiting Hair from reading graphic excerpts from school library books at board meetings.

U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story ruled in the Mama Bears’ favor Jan. 31, allowing them to continue the readings.

The Board of Education denied a parent's appeal April 18 to remove “Endlessly Ever After” by Laurel Snyder from the Daves Creek Elementary School Library.

The appeal marked the School Board’s first formal decision under the district’s harmful to minors policy, which allows patrons to challenge inclusion of certain books in school libraries. The four books at the June 20 meeting were also appealed under the policy.

The harmful to minors criteria requires

that in order for a book to be considered for removal, it must appeal “to the prurient, shameful, or morbid interest of minors”; be offensive to the adult community as a whole with respect to what is appropriate for minors; and be lacking in serious literary, political, artistic or scientific value when taken as a whole.

The policy mirrors language in the 2022 State Senate Bill 226, which streamlined the process by which parents can challenge school library books. The legislation also placed the burden of the book reviews in the hands of the school principal, and community school boards may enact a final

review of the materials within 30 days if the parent appeals the principal’s decision.

Martin had requested the speculative dystopian novel “Oryx and Crake” be removed from the school district earlier this year, and she revisited the same explicit passage at the June 20 meeting.

Allison Strickland, who submitted the appeal, said board members should consider the age range of students in one school, saying 13-year-olds who are freshmen in high school do not have the same maturity level as their 18-year-old upperclassmen.

“These four books are up for appeal, and they all contain explicit sex of minor children in compromising situations for a large majority of each book, not just a little bit, a lot of the book,” Strickland said. “There is not one educational thing to be had from any of these books.”

Other speakers at the meeting disagreed with the push to remove the books, emphasizing diverse and difficult subject matter can provide representation to student experiences.

“Books are a safe place to experience all the stresses and difficulties that teens face today,” speaker Pat Wall said. “Sometimes they may think that they are the only ones who feel the way they do, or have gone through what they are experiencing, which can be isolating.”

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

The Forsyth County Board of Education votes to require signed parental consent for students to access four challenged library books at a regular meeting June 20. Board members heard arguments from parents who support and oppose student access to mature themes in the reading materials.

Forsyth County Schools to adopt tax rate, budget

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Education will approve its final budget and set a property tax rate at a meeting June 29.

The school system is proposing a tax rate of 16.718 mills, down a full mill from its original proposal. One mill represents $1 in taxes for each $1,000 of a property’s taxable value.

Most of the school millage rate, 15.3 mills, is reserved for maintenance and operational costs. The remaining 1.418 mills goes to debt service.

The School Board initially proposed a 17.718-mill rate at a May 31 meeting, but it was reduced June 15 following numerous requests for relief from taxpayers.

School taxes represent the greatest portion of a Forsyth County resident’s tax bill.

As of June 20, county government officials are proposing a tax rate of 7.896 mills.

Combined, taxpayers can expect their properties to be levied a total of 24.614 mills.

The School Board is proposing a $645 million operating budget. Some $470 million of the total, roughly 73 percent, is dedicated to instructional costs.

Schools Chief Financial Officer Larry Hammel said at a May meeting that over half of the proposed budget's 10 percent increase from 2023 accounts for state-mandated health care costs and pay raises for teachers.

Public hearings on the proposed mill levy and budget were held May 31 and June 15, with two additional called hearings for the tax rate held June 22.

The Board of Education will formally vote on the budget and tax rate at the Professional Development Center at 1120 Dahlonega Highway 5 p.m. June 29.

Footage shows alleged use of force by Fulton County detention officer

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police released bodycam footage June 23 of a use of force incident that rendered a woman unconscious in the Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta earlier this month.

Police Chief John Robison said an investigation of the two Alpharetta Police Department officers who witnessed the event concluded June 13 and absolved the two of misconduct.

The two officers reported arresting a woman on charges of criminal trespass and public drunkenness around 3 p.m. June 5. The woman was trans -

ported to the North Fulton County Jail on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta.

In an officer’s bodycam footage, she is seen using profanities toward officers and requesting they call her mother. She appears to refuse to enter the intake machine that scans for weapons and takes a mugshot.

The woman is then seen sitting down in a nearby chair. Fulton County Sheriff’s Office deputies assist in moving the woman to stand in front of the machine.

In the footage, Fulton County Sheriff’s detention officer Monique Clark places his hands around the woman’s neck and says, “I chokehold. I advise

you to cooperate. Hold your face before you lose your breath. The choice is yours.”

The woman appears to briefly fall unconscious. After the incident, she tells jail staff she cannot breathe and does not feel good.

An Alpharetta police officer reportedly called an ambulance, and she was transported to North Fulton Hospital.

Following the incident, Clark was charged with felony aggravated assault and violation of oath by a public officer, as well as misdemeanor reckless conduct.

Fulton County’s unlawful use of force investigation of Clark is pending.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Alpharetta Police Chief John Robison addresses a June use of force incident in the North Fulton County Jail at a press conference June 23. Bodycam footage shows a Fulton County Sheriff’s detention officer placing his hands around a woman’s neck until she appears to fall unconscious.

Northern District lists May Eagle Scouts

The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, John’s Creek, Milton) has announced its newest Eagle Scouts who completed their Eagle Board of Review on May 25,2023, at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church.

Top row, from left:

Matthys Serfontein, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church, whose project was refurbishing the River Trail Middle School’s Adventure Quest Outdoor Classroom Area by designing and constructing a concrete firepit with surrounding paved plinth, cleaning up the wooded area, removing undergrowth, removing fallen tree limbs, removing litter, mulching the entrance and constructing an outdoor serving table.

Joshua Alan Panuganti, of Troop 3143, sponsored by John’s Creek United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction three storage shelving units and a mobile storage cart for Waypoint Baptist Church.

Nicholas Sparkes, Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of three picnic tables and four benches for the Bridge House, a faith-based house for fully rehabilitated women who are relearning

how to function and contribute to society.

Ian Fox, of Troop 356, sponsored by Fellowship Christian School, whose project was the design and construction of a 6-foot picnic table and a sunshade sail secured by wooden poles secured in the ground with concrete with hooks secured to the wall for the lunch area and painting of a 16 x 12-foot shed at the King’s Academy High School.

Jason Lampert, of Troop 1486, sponsored by North River Baptist Church, whose project was the design and construction of two picnic tables, at North River Baptist Church.

Bottom row, from left:

Vance Visger, of Troop 3000, sponsored by Birmingham United Methodist Church, whose project was design and construction of an archway for the trail to Paul Anderson’s burial site at the Paul Anderson Youth Home, in Vidalia, Georgia.

Thomas Gamba, of Troop 1717, sponsored by Cross of Life Lutheran Church, whose project was the design and construction of shelving and reorganizing the sound and light system storage room at Elkins Pointe Middle School.

Vishnu Reddy, of Troop 27, sponsored by the Johns Creek Christian

Church, whose project was relandscaping several islands in the parking lot as well as painting yellow around the island curb and constructing two sitting benches in the main outdoor eating area for North American Shirdi Sai Temple of Atlanta. Kipras Kairys, of Troop 1459, sponsored by St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, whose project was removing a set of plastic storage shelves and replacing them with wooden shelving units for the preschool at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church.

PROVIDED

John Bodamer, of Troop 143, sponsored by John’s Creek United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of five large wooden garbage bins for the Southeastern Railway Museum. Arya Sabzevari, Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of two ADAcompliant picnic tables for the Special Education Department of Alpharetta High School.

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See solution Page 15

Students:

Continued from Page 1

Lambert High School graduate Lane Cassidy’s upcoming attendance at Clemson University will be supported by a scholarship recognizing Marine Corps Maj. John Gallagher of Savannah.

Newly graduated Denmark High School senior Olivia Edge was awarded a scholarship in memory of Army

Spc. Joseph Champion of Decatur. Edge will also attend UGA.

“Those chosen are students who excel scholastically, participate in school activities and volunteer to make the community a better place,” chapter President Gary Goyette said. “Through their essays these young adults demonstrate a deep appreciation for and knowledge about the price of freedom.”

The families of four of the six deceased veterans were in attendance.

— Shelby Israel

Local charity transforms lives with language lessons

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — When Roswell resident Diana Traslavina moved to the area from Colombia a year ago, she quickly learned that English was a necessity.

The native Spanish speaker came from Bogotá with her son to the United States in hopes of the “best life.” She came to Georgia to be with her sister, who speaks no English.

“Quickly, we clearly needed the language,” Traslavina said.

She said several people encouraged her to visit North Fulton Community Charities in Roswell to take the organization’s English as a second language course. The charity services around 10,000 people in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell.

This year, the nonprofit celebrates 40 years of service through emergency assistance for housing, medical care and transportation, as well as a food pantry and thrift shop. It also runs education programs—namely, the English as a second language program.

The 15-week course is offered three times a year, with classes twice a week. Students take a placement test and are placed by level, advancing to “proficient” in level five. The free classes require no personal identification, which helps keep the program accessible.

Traslavina said she started the program at a level three, although she joked she didn’t know any English going

See CHARITY, Page 9

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell resident Diana Traslavina works the front desk at North Fulton Community Charities on Elkins Road in Roswell, one year after moving to the United States from her home in Colombia. Traslavina is a former student of the nonprofit’s English as a second language program.

They’re here to say teach me the language to communicate and take care of myself in my daily life, and that’s pretty awesome.

SANDY HOLIDAY, executive director, NFCC

in. The program was intensive, but in three months she moved through to level five.

“I feel very, very proud of me to have known I can do that,” Traslavina said.

NFCC Executive Director Sandy Holiday said people who come to the United States without the English language creates unique barriers.

“They are the most challenged in our communities, because they don’t know how to advocate for themselves,” Holiday said.

The English learning program is full immersion, so the teacher only speaks in English. Students come from various countries, including India, Ukraine, Cameroon and Colombia. The students are placed in rotating groups to communicate with each other.

Without a shared language to rely on, the students speak to each other exclusively in English. Program manager Wynona Kuehl said the format creates close bonds between the new North Fulton County residents.

“That really builds community,” Kuehl said. “By the last week, they all feel connected.”

The 15-week course serves about 200 students a session. Holiday said

many students drop out of level three of the program because they have learned enough to “empower” themselves.

“They’re here to say teach me the language to communicate and take care of myself in my daily life, and that’s pretty awesome,” Holiday said.

Language is not the only barrier faced by many clients, though. Holiday said a lot of people use multiple services from the nonprofit.

“It’s called a continuum because no matter where you enter that spectrum, you continue on it towards other services,” Holiday said.

Part of the continuum came into play when the nonprofit started looking for a new client services specialist in March. Holiday wanted to recruit internally, from one of their thousands of clients.

“We should be employing our clients, we should walk the walk,” Holiday said.

As program manager for the English language classes, Kuehl recommended

Traslavina, who had recently completed the language program for the company role.

After two interviews, Traslavina was hired at the nonprofit’s front desk. She said the position requires some administrative and computer work, but a lot of her job calls for interacting with people who come into the building.

“We need to learn what problems they have or how we can help,” Traslavina said.

People often come to the front desk in need of emergency services, and Traslavina is the one who helps them get started. She said the conversations have also been good practice for her English skills. In her months at the role, Traslavina said the job has “opened the doors” to her new life.

“The best thing here is I can help other people,” Traslavina said.

Holiday said there’s an added benefit to having a former client be the first face people see at North Fulton Community Charities.

“She’s looking at our work as a client,” Holiday said.

The executive director explained she often reaches out to former clients for advice and questions regarding everything from organizational decisions to newsletters. The nonprofit also has a former client on the board of directors, which Holiday plans to continue long term.

Traslavina said she’s grateful for the opportunities she’s received, and she now feels better in this country.

In light of the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary, Holiday wants to flip that gratitude back to the community. Rather than celebrate the organization’s success she wants to spotlight those who helped it last across the decades.

“They’re grateful to us, but we see it a little bit differently,” Holiday said. “We are so grateful that the community didn’t just launch us but grew us and has helped us be successful.”

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The best thing here is I can

other people.”

DIANA TRASLAVINA

Front desk receptionist, NFCC

Fungus among us – the history and benefits of mushrooms

This week’s column is about mushrooms whose history as food goes back at least 7,000 or 8,000 years. Before we get into history, we should define what mushrooms are and are not.

BOB MEYERS

Mushrooms are not plants, because plants need sunlight and carbon dioxide to synthesize their food. Mushrooms rely only on organic matter. Unlike plants, they do not produce chlorophyll (a green pigment that helps plants create their own food,) but they are high in nutrients. They live off dead and decaying matter, such as wood and leaves.

In addition to numerous kinds of edible mushrooms, there are thousands of species of other fungi including types of molds, mildews, yeasts, rusts and toadstools (poisonous mushrooms).

No one knows who ate the first edible mushroom, but it must have been thousands of years ago. Egyptian Pharaohs ate mushrooms, and for centuries mushroom consumption was limited to the wealthy. Louis XIV’s reign in the 17th century marked the start of cultivation and marketing of mushrooms. French gardeners grew mushrooms in caves, which provided a perfect environment. In the United States, mushroom farming became popular in the early 20th century. The first commercial mushroom farm in the U.S. was established in 1896 in Pennsylvania which today continues to be the leading producer of mushrooms in the U.S. In the 1920s waves of European immigrants brought with them knowledge of mushroom cultivation. New technologies and techniques, such as climate-controlled growing environments, revolutionized the industry and allowed for year-round cultivation. The resulting increase in production and lowered costs led to today’s widespread availability of mushrooms in supermarkets and restaurants.

Mushroom farming is big business today. World production of cultivated mushrooms is about 4 million tons a

County:

Continued from Page 1

In 2023, the county's final tax digest – the value of all commercial and residential property – rose to $18.2 billion, a 15 percent increase from 2022. Chief Financial Officer Marcus Turk said about 5 percent of the growth was due to new construction, and 10 percent came from increased values on existing properties. County finance staff project $84.7

year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that in 2021-2022, the U.S. sales by growers were $1.02 billion. The market research firm Market Data Forecast puts the global mushroom market size at $50.3 billion in 2021 driven by growing demand for healthy, low-calorie diets. One cup of raw mushrooms contains just 15 calories, 2.2g of protein, 2.3g of carbohydrates, and 0.2g of fat and lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

There are some large mushroom farms in Georgia and many small-scale farmers. An example of the latter is Jeff Dufresne who started growing mushrooms on his property in Milton just two years ago, satisfying a lifelong love of the edible fungi. Jeff grows Shiitake, Oyster and Lion’s Mane varieties, while his wife Josephine enjoys experimenting with mushroom recipes.

Dufresne says “Shiitake mushrooms have a rich meaty flavor and are great for soups, pasta and stews. Their proven me-

million in revenue from property taxes for the 2024 budget, a 7.7 percent rise from the previous year.

Of the total $632.5 million budget, $196 million is reserved for the general fund, which covers the county’s daily operations and expenses. Capital projects, which include facilities and infrastructure projects, make up 19 percent of the total funds.

The proposed general fund allots $15 million for parks and recreation, $66.6 million for the Sheriff’s Office, $8.3 million for libraries and $8.1 million for

dicinal benefits include helping to control blood pressure and cholesterol. Oyster mushrooms,” according to Jeff, “have a mild taste, silky textures, and are great with seafood, chicken or pork. They can be cooked or served raw in salads, and they help strengthen the immune system. Lion’s Mane are sweet and succulent, soft and chewy with a shellfish flavor. They help fight dementia and memory loss.”

Jeff lists several benefits of mushrooms beyond their culinary rewards. They can be a natural pesticide, can help clean up land oil spills and make good packing material being used by companies such as IKEA. Research is being conducted on mushrooms as insulation and eventually as replacement for concrete blocks and bricks.

Jeff’s 4-acre farm is named “Pax Domus,” or House of Peace. Jeff cultivates mushrooms outdoors on hardwood logs and indoors in plastic bags which provide a more sterile environment and better control

public facilities. Some $2.7 million, an 88 percent increase from 2023, is also reserved for voter registration in the 2024 election year.

County taxes make up less than half of local tax bills. A portion of homeowners’ property taxes fund Forsyth County Schools. The Board of Education is proposing a tax rate of 16.718 mills, with final approval slated for June 29.

The public can comment on the county’s proposed property tax rate 5 p.m. July 6 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

of temperature, humidity and light. Jeff, who is president of the Milton Historical Society, is happy to share his knowledge with anyone contemplating growing mushrooms. Contact him at Jeff@PaxDomusFarm.com.

According to Dr. Michael Yeh, medical toxicologist with Emory University, care must be taken when consuming mushrooms. Most varieties found in the wild are not edible. Many species are irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some mushrooms can cause severe organ damage such as liver or kidney failure, damage to muscles, and even seizures.

Most people do not realize, Yeh says, but even edible mushrooms should not be eaten raw with the exception of the familiar white button variety which make up about 90 percent of the mushrooms consumed in the United States, or the cremini (brown button), both of which are found in local supermarkets. Fortunately, commercially available mushrooms are grown by knowledgeable mushroom farmers. There are five major mushroom growing companies in Georgia.

This is where the Mushroom Club of Georgia enters the picture. Sam Landes, treasurer of the club, describes it as an educational, scientific, outdoor social group with monthly meetings via Zoom. From March through November, the club organizes two walks per month in the metro area for its members where they learn to identify, collect and study edible and nonedible wild mushrooms. The combination of the pandemic and a short film has led to an explosion of new members, now totaling about 500. The film, “Here’s to Us,” can be seen at www.mychinet.com/ideas/allof-us/mushroom-club/. For information about the club, contact Sam at treasurer@ gamushroomclub.org.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

July 20 at the County Administration Building.

A public hearing and adoption of the budget is also slated for July 20 during the Board of Commissioners regular meeting.

Also at the work session, commissioners unanimously approved a financial impact and viability study with Ernst and Young on The Gathering, the proposed and highly anticipated mixed-use development in southern Forsyth County. The vote will be ratified at an upcoming regular meeting.

Columnist

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Jeff Dufresne, owner of Pax Domus Farms in Milton, holds some mushrooms he just harvested from mushroom logs on the ground behind him.

A day in the life outside the shell we call home

I always am surprised when I go “out” and end up meeting people. My default is to not be that social, probably to the point of being at a minimum an introvert if not downright antisocial. Yet, almost without fail, when I step outside of my default, I end up being pleasantly surprised.

So, my wife (Christina) is in Ohio helping her mom move out of the family house of the last 60 years or so into a more appropriate housing – no steps, easy to maintain, social atmosphere. I am here holding down the fort. The “fort” yesterday consisted of taking care of our three grandchildren for much of the day. Their other grandparent handed them off to me around 3 p.m. So, at that point it is me and three kids 8 and under. They are good kids, but their behavior is best when they are actively engaged in something. That is the rub, as we have not so long attention spans and we tend to compete and often that ends up – well, let’s say, “challenging.”

We started out at my house with snacks. They weren’t hungry so I was 0 for 1 at that point. From home, we decided to go to Wills Park tennis courts and become “engaged.” Our 8-year-old granddaughter is quite good at tennis. She takes lessons and is one of the most athletic/coordinated kids I know. However, Leo, the middle sibling and Annie our youngest don’t play tennis at all. My plan was to let Phoebe hit against the backboard while I attempted to “play tennis” on the adjacent court with Leo and Annie, maybe turn it into a play catch, or miniature pickle ball, or something. It was hot, humid, and they didn’t last long. Yes, Phoebe wanted to keep hitting against the backboard, but I lost the other two big time. Zero for 2.

On to Wacky World, the giant playground adjacent to the tennis courts. We swung, looked for our name on the slats that surround the facility and quickly began to get bored. Then, out of the blue, the three of them decided to play hide and seek at the playground. Hello! I sat and watched, ultimately for well over an hour. I sat down on a bench next to a woman probably about my age who obviously was there for the same reason I was – to watch the grandchildren. We compared

notes. She was down from Michigan to see her adult children. We talked about Alpharetta, the humidity, City Center and life in general. It turned out that we take the grandchildren to the same parks – the one on Cogburn Road and the one on Crabapple Road across the street from the Alpharetta traffic ticket courthouse place. I shared with her one of my very favorite places in all of Alpharetta which happened to be in the area that she traveled. The favorite place is the “fairy park” immediately adjacent (on the south side) to the Milton Library on Charlotte Drive and Mayfield.

Volunteers have turned a small patch of land with trees, bushes and little trails into a wonderland filled with gnomes, gnome houses, fairies, trolls, benches and more. We often can easily spend an hour or so exploring the fairy park and never once get bored. In fact, the kids usually protest and don’t want to leave. The lady on the bench thanked me and said that she would take her grandkids to look for the fairies.

A short time later, as I continued to watch from the bench, a mom came up and introduced herself and started a conversation. She shared with me that they had recently moved to Alpharetta – I guessed from Europe – and that they had just enrolled their kids in Fulton Science Academy (FSA, a local private STEM school that my youngest son Carl attended during middle school. FSA holds a special place in my heart. The mom and I – and a short while later her husband too – ended up talking about the school for some time. I shared that Christina and I traveled with FSA teachers, many of whom are Turkish, way back when for two weeks to Turkey, sort of like a field trip but across the ocean.

The school used to take both parents as well as kids on the trip the first of each summer but no longer since the current President Tayyip Erdogan (who was just now reelected to a third term) essentially banned or imprisoned a large percentage of the country’s teachers. I thanked them for our conversation when they left.

“Lets stay in touch,” the husband said. I replied that I was sure we would see each other again at Wacky World. I gave them my card and asked them to give Dr. Sener (headmaster/principal at FSA) my regards when they ran into him at FSA.

The kids continued their hide and seek. I noticed that our youngest, Annie Moon, had found a friend who was playing hide and seek with her. They both walked up to me, and Annie held out a length of thread that she said her friend had given her to tie

around her finger as a ring. As I tried to tie the small thread around her finger, the father – Ross – of Annie’s new friend walked up and introduced himself. He was there with his young daughter and son.

As with the Turkish couple, Ross and I talked while we watched. We had common interests including “food” –or more accurately, the status of our sustainable or not sustainable food supply. We talked about health care. I am not sure, but I think he was either South African or lived some years in South Africa where health care is so different than in the States -- universal and cheap/affordable.

He ended up sharing with me a podcast that he recently listened to about our food supply (On YouTube search for “Peter Zeihan the shocking truth about global fertilizer”) and it should take you to his YouTube lecture. I ordered one of his books last night so I could learn more.

I shared with Ross an online lecture my daughter sent me which, after listening to it, finally made me understand this whole “organic” thing. I used to think that “organic” was just some sort of tree-hugger or marketing thing to get you to spend more. I don’t think that anymore. Basically, you really don’t want to eat non-organic food unless you want to deal with the tragic/toxic consequences of ingesting food grown via the use of ultra-toxic herbicides – Roundup being the big one – or pesticides. I am now willing to pay extra to avoid that stuff; it makes sense to me now.

If you google “John Kempf embracing the connection between agriculture and health,” you should get a link to his regenerative agriculture podcast.

Ross and I exchanged contacts and I think if at least one of us takes the initiative, we will have more conversations in the future.

So, why don’t I go “outside” more? Go figure. I am missing so much.

*The use of Roundup is currently the focus of literally thousands of lawsuits. According to Forbes, “Monsanto (the owner of Roundup) has settled over 100,000 Roundup lawsuits, paying out about $11 billion as of May 2022. There are still 30,000 lawsuits pending…”

Many government institutions - such as city recreation departments - still use large quantities of Roundup to maintain grounds, sports fields, playgrounds (where thousands of children play and recreate) - and greenways adjacent to water sources likes creeks and rivers even though Roundup has repeatedly been associated with many forms of cancer.

RAY APPEN

Publisher Emeritus

Human Resources Manager

Handles all employee-related processes and procedures. This role will be responsible for Recruitment and Onboarding, Job Design, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Training and Development, Employment Compliance, Total Rewards and Talent Management. This position reports to the Director of Finance and Administration and will interact with the entire management team by providing guidance on all Human Resources related topics at NFCC. Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field and 3-5 years of Human Resources experience, preferably in multiple HR disciplines required. Please visit https://nfcchelp.org/ work-at-nfcc/ to see the full job description. To apply, submit a resume to sholiday@nfcchelp.org and to mburton@nfcchelp.org.

Workforce Development Coordinator is responsible for developing programs and services for NFCC clients and students seeking employment, post-secondary education, or other career options. The workforce development coordinator collaborates with local employers to help match job seekers to open positions. They work directly with clients on the job application, resumes, and interview preparations and provide tips for successfully securing and improving employment to foster financial stability.  Bachelor’s degree in a human services, human resources, or other related field required and 2 years of professional experience in human services, human resources or career counseling preferred.

To view the entire listing visit https://nfcchelp.org/ work-at-nfcc/. To apply, please submit resume to Carol Swan at cswan@nfcchelp.org.

Computer Systems Analyst: Req  1. MS Deg in Com. Sci/Com. Apps/Engr/IT/Bus. Admin. + 6 Mon. Exp.

24 ON Physicians of California, PC seeks multiple FT Hospitalist Physician (Alpharetta, GA). Diagnose & provide non-surgical medical treatment of diseases & injuries of internal organ systems to hospitalized patients. Must have MD, DO or foreign equiv. Must be board certified or board eligible in internal medicine. Subject to periodic transfers to various unanticipated locations in US. Must have legal authority to work in U.S. EEOE. Resume to: C. Fann, 24 ON Physicians of California PC, 13000 Deerfield Pkwy, Ste 100, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Lead Software Engineer, Alpharetta, GA: Bach/ forgn equiv deg in CS, CIS, or a rel fld. Employer considers 3- or 4-yr degrees acceptable. At least 5 yrs’ exp in SW design, development & maintenance of backend workflow sytms supporting product & relt’d services. Exp must incl knwldg of ASP.NET, MVC, SQL Server, & Windows services. CV: HR, Ingo Money, Inc., 11545 Wills Rd, Ste 130, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Software Engineer Senior (Alpharetta, GA): Dvlp, create, & mdfy general comp apps s/w or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs & dvlp s/w solutions. Work throughout the s/w dvlpmt life cycle & prfrm in a utility capacity to create, dsgn, code, debug, maintain, test, implmnt & validate apps w/ a broad understanding of a variety of langs & architectures. Remote work permitted within the US. Resumes to: Total System Services LLC, Brian Simons, Associate Director, HR Risk and Compliance, One TSYS Way, Columbus GA 31901. Job #RM608552.

BOOTH RENTALS

AVAILABLE

Fun hair salon in Dunwoody, FREE 1st MONTH RENT 770-912-7151

Deadline to place a Classified ad is Thursday at 4 pm

Community Events Manager

The Community Events Manager is responsible for all aspects of NFCC’s community events, from inception through execution, including helping secure sponsorships. Events may include annual golf tournament, annual fundraising gala, community engagement events, donor recognition events, and other community events. Position requires a highly organized, creative, and motivated person to lead event planning, sponsorship, and community engagement. Bachelor’s Degree preferred with 2-3 years special events and fundraising experience. To view entire listing visit: https://nfcchelp.org/workat-nfcc/  To apply, send a resume to Sandy Holiday, sholiday@nfcchelp.org.

Salary: 85000/Yr. Req 2: BS Deg in Com. Sci/Com. Apps/Engr/Bus. Admin. + 5yrs Exp. Salary 119750/ Yr. Req.3. BS Deg in Com. Sci/Com. Apps/Engr/Bus. Admin. + 2 yrs Exp. Salary 67500/Yr.  Duties: Analyze, design, dev, test, imp, monitor & upgrade computer sw sys, spec. Sw apps. Details: www.cloudsoft-inc. com. Resume-Cloud Soft, 40 Technology Pkwy Ste 210, Norcross, GA 30092.

Computer Systems Analyst: Req  1. MS Deg in Com. Sci/Com. Apps/Engr/IT/Bus. Admin. + 6 Mon. Exp.

Salary: 85000/Yr. Req 2: BS Deg in Com. Sci/Com. Apps/Engr/Bus. Admin. + 5yrs Exp. Salary 119750/ Yr. Req.3. BS Deg in Com. Sci/Com. Apps/Engr/ Bus. Admin. + 2 yrs Exp. Salary 67500/Yr.  Duties: Analyze, design, dev, test, imp, monitor & upgrade computer sw sys, spec. Sw apps. Details: www. unicorntek.com. Resume-Unicorn Tech, 4080 McGinnis Ferry Rd STE 1305, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a Staff Accountant – Financial Services to provide financial and accounting services in compliance with RUS accounting requirements and standards, coordinate budgeting and financial planning functions, compile and analyze financial information, prepare financial statements, statistical analyses, balance sheet and financial position statements, make recommendations on reserves, collect appropriate data to prepare tax returns, and prepare related reports to management. Requires: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in accounting with a minimum of two years progressively responsible work experience; high level of competency in MS Office, Accounting, Spreadsheet and Database Software; knowledge of RUS System of Accounts preferred.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, July 7, 2023. Apply online: www.sawnee. com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Part-time

Donor Operations Associate

HIRING ACCOUNTANTS!

Entry level to Senior level. Direct Hire and temp to hire. Resume to lauren@discoverstaffing.com or call or text 678-393-9313 for more details.

Sr. Full Stack Java Developer, GIS, HQ in Cumming, GA, hm off anywhere in US. Design, develop & maintain web apps; BS or for equiv in CS or clsly rel; 3 yrs exp; $99,008/yr; resume & cvr ltr to: CJ@ Global-it-solutions.net

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace

The Donor Operations Associate greets and removes donations from vehicles and sorts merchandise in a designated area.  They are responsible for keeping the merchandise secure, all areas free of debris and the donor door area neat and clean.  This position is the face of NFCC so they are expected to provide excellent customer service and treat each donor with a professional and friendly demeanor.  High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Ability to perform low to moderate facility maintenance tasks.  To view entire listing visit: https://nfcchelp.org/work-atnfcc/  To apply, please complete an application for employment and email to Marten Jallad,  mjallad@nfcchelp.org.

Part-time

NEWSPAPER DELIVERY ROUTE

Director of Childrens Ministry

Seeking Director of Children’s Ministry for Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. Part-time position with benefits.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Also have classroom or work experience in education and/or children’s ministry. Work with children’s ministry leaders to provide meaningful and engaging Sunday School and additional programs for children. Collaborate with committee, recommend curriculum to Session for approval and provide the curriculum for children’s Sunday School classes and Vacation Bible School.

Recruit, train and supervise all Children’s Ministry teachers and volunteers (this includes providing “child safety training” and assuring compliance with that policy).

• A person of mature Christian faith who will work collegially with others in support of the overall mission of the church.

• A person of outstanding character and strong relational skills who is approachable, compassionate, energetic, honest, dependable, creative, joyful, fun, motivated and humble.

• A dynamic and grace-filled leader who is a role model for children and their families.

• Someone who is committed to setting an inspiring example, serving others, making disciples, and equipping the saints for ministry.

Qualified candidates please send resumes to alpharettajobopening@gmail.com.

Appen Newspapers is looking for one or two folks to help deliver our newspapers. Work is part time and flexible. Routes can be done at night or during the day - on your schedule - within our deadlines. Comfortably earn $550 or more a month on your own schedule.

This is a great way to get out as well as contribute to helping your local newspaper! Perfect for retired person who wants to stay active or a parent with school-aged kids - deliver during school hours. Also good way to earn supplemental income at night. We have had many retired couples deliver our papers and almost all have managed a route well and enjoyed the time and the work.

Requirements include reliable vehicle, clean driving record, availability, reliability, and honesty. Prior delivery experience is good, but not required. It helps if you live relatively close as papers are picked up to be bagged and delivered from our office in Alpharetta. Delivery areas can be Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, South Forsyth, Dunwoody, or Sandy Springs typically - depending on open routes.

Please contact our Office Manager Heidi to set up an appointment to come in and fill in paper work or start the process via Email!

Call 770-442-3278 and ask for Heidi or Email Heidi@AppenMedia.com

HANDY HELPER NEEDED 20-30 hours/week.

Call Stan 678-357-5371

oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877929-9587

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Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398

HughesNet - Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo!

Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Fi-nancing available.

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MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure!

1-888-489-3936

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for

Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation ExpertsOver $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-3081971

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on vet bills? Physicians Mutual In-surance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-844-774-0206 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow. com/ads

770-450-8188

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

DISH TV $64.99 For 190

Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-479-1516

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You may qualify for a substantial cash award - even with smoking history. No obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help!! Call 24/7, 1-877-648-2503

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With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445

Roofing

ROOF LEAKING?

Call us for roof repair or roof replacement. FREE quotes. $200 OFF Leak Repairs or 10% off New Roof. Affordable, quality roofing. Based in Roswell. Serving North Atlanta since 1983. Call to schedule FREE Quote: 770-284-3123. Christian Brothers Roofing

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Haulers

Bush Hogging, Clearing, Grading, Hauling, Etc.

Many local referencesCall Ralph Rucker 678-898-7237

Home Improvement

DECKS BUILT & REPAIRED-PAINT

Decks repaired/built. Labor payment upon completion. 30-plus years experience. John Ingram/678-906-7100. Act now before prices increase next year! Heritage Home Maintenance HOMEREPAIRGA@GMAIL.COM, (HERITAGECONSTRUCTIONGA.COM)

Concrete/ Asphalt Retaining Walls

Brick or Wood

Contact Ralph Rucker. Many local references. Honest, punctual, professional and reasonable prices!

678-898-7237

Landscaping

Bargains –

Pinestraw

PINESTRAW, MULCH

Retaining walls (brick or wood), grading, sod, tree services, hauling, topsoil & more.

Ralph Rucker

678-898-7237

Gutters

AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aaronsgutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 678-508-2432

ANTIQUE DESK Circa 1810-1820 Rhode Island/New Hampshire; mahogany, remodeled; great condition. $5500. 770-881-6442.

Delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch.

770-831-3612

Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursday by 4 pm